Front coil over conversion
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 81
From: Santo TX
Thanks for the responses guys. The pics better demonstrate my prior definitions of "semi" coilovers. As was noted above, one pathway is to trim the coils I have to get the desired ride height and then upgrade to shocks with adjustable valving. With this, I would consider the QA1 double vs single adjustable shocks. Again, for a street driven car, is there a significant advantage to the dual adjustable shocks?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: calgary
van steel has a great looking kit, which I plan on buying some time soon, however I can not seem to find any feedback about how the system works maybe everyone who has it is out driving and enjoying it, you can find it listed under c3 performance on their site, very nice knowledgeable people, good luck Keith
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Simcoe Ontario
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 344
Likes: 50
From: Marietta GA
Just an update. I just received my September 2010 issue of Vette magazine and they have a tech article on the installation of the Speed Direct aluminum upper control arms and the Speed Direct Shark Bite front coilover kit which appears to have QA1 shocks with Speed Direct springs. You can probably find the article on the net. I have to tell you, the aluminum upper control arms look very stout. The only modification to the lower control arms was to open up the shock mount holes to 3/4 inch. As a bonus, they added a spreader bar. Next month, they will be installing the Speed Direct rear coil over kit (a truly unique design) so there are no road tests published to date.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 24
I have the QA1 "semi-coilover" kit. The springs do not fit in the pocket on the frame well, the diameter is too small. The QA1 tech line guy gave me a really BS answer by explaining that "not all car frames will have the same size spring pocket even though they are the same model due to variables in the production process" (Funny, the stock springs fit perfectly} For the price I paid they should fit! I opted for the torrington bearing upgrade that makes adjusting easier.
I was also concerned with all the weight being on the bottom perch of the lower a-arm so I made some plates to spread the load for what its worth. Tech guy said its nothing to worry about, but based on the quality of his first answer I made some plates to mount in the lower a-arms. See pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
I was also concerned with all the weight being on the bottom perch of the lower a-arm so I made some plates to spread the load for what its worth. Tech guy said its nothing to worry about, but based on the quality of his first answer I made some plates to mount in the lower a-arms. See pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1209389...7603198130582/
Last edited by TeamTruett; Aug 11, 2010 at 04:21 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 81
From: Santo TX
TeamTruett, you have discovered the reason why we developed our own spring for the semi-coilovers. We discussed this problem with QA1 when it was first brought to light over a year ago and they had (and continue to have) no solution. The springs that they currently supply with their kit have an inside diameter of 3.5" yet the Corvette spring pocket requires a minimum I.D. of 3.7 to 3.8". Our springs fit the pocket correctly and they are shorter to give a full range of ride height adjustability. The QA1 springs are too tall to lower the ride height if so desired. Additionally, we have more spring rate options with our design.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
Likes: 63
From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
TeamTruett, you have discovered the reason why we developed our own spring for the semi-coilovers. We discussed this problem with QA1 when it was first brought to light over a year ago and they had (and continue to have) no solution. The springs that they currently supply with their kit have an inside diameter of 3.5" yet the Corvette spring pocket requires a minimum I.D. of 3.7 to 3.8". Our springs fit the pocket correctly and they are shorter to give a full range of ride height adjustability. The QA1 springs are too tall to lower the ride height if so desired. Additionally, we have more spring rate options with our design.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 81
From: Santo TX
Yes sir, our springs (with the adapter) are designed to work with the QA1 shocks. That is the kit we sell, QA1 shocks and our springs. We offer springs rates from 400 in/lbs to 750 in/lbs in 50 lb increments. If desired we can get up to 1000 in/lb springs.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
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From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
I already have the shocks, so all I need is the springs. What is the adapter? I thought you had springs to fit the pocket in the car. What's the price and part # for 400 in.lb. springs?
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 81
From: Santo TX
The adapter is to fit the spring to the shock near the bottom at the ride height adjustment collar. The spring fits in the upper pocket just like the stock spring. The springs are $48.99 each (p/n sssy400) and the adapters are 59.98 for the pair (p/n 760-01000) for a total of $157.96 plus shipping.
The springs are at the bottom of the page. http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp...&Pbm=&FromNav=
The springs are at the bottom of the page. http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp...&Pbm=&FromNav=
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
Likes: 63
From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
The adapter is to fit the spring to the shock near the bottom at the ride height adjustment collar. The spring fits in the upper pocket just like the stock spring. The springs are $48.99 each (p/n sssy400) and the adapters are 59.98 for the pair (p/n 760-01000) for a total of $157.96 plus shipping.
The springs are at the bottom of the page. http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp...&Pbm=&FromNav=
The springs are at the bottom of the page. http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp...&Pbm=&FromNav=
Thanks for the help.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 24
TeamTruett, you have discovered the reason why we developed our own spring for the semi-coilovers. We discussed this problem with QA1 when it was first brought to light over a year ago and they had (and continue to have) no solution. The springs that they currently supply with their kit have an inside diameter of 3.5" yet the Corvette spring pocket requires a minimum I.D. of 3.7 to 3.8". Our springs fit the pocket correctly and they are shorter to give a full range of ride height adjustability. The QA1 springs are too tall to lower the ride height if so desired. Additionally, we have more spring rate options with our design.
Last edited by TeamTruett; Aug 13, 2010 at 11:05 AM.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 81
From: Santo TX
claysmoker, the adapters are still needed. They are not the same as the adjuster nuts included from QA1. They adapt the adjuster nuts to the spring diameter because our springs are not conical like the QA1 springs.
TeamTruett, all the springs are the same price so the above quote is accurate and shipping will be about $18 to NY. The springs are powder coated.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
TeamTruett, all the springs are the same price so the above quote is accurate and shipping will be about $18 to NY. The springs are powder coated.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
